Trollery switch and frog



0a. 27, 1942. L, L, Dms 2,300,390

TROLLEY SWITCH AND FROG.

Original Filed Nov. 26, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 LELAND L.D1IVIS Snueufor (mm-neg Snoentor L ELHND L DAVIS (Ittormzg Oct. 27, 1942. L. 1.. DAVIS TROLLEY SWITCH AND FROG Original Filed Nov. 26, 1940 INSUL n 17 ON Oct. 27, 1942. 1.. L. DAVIS ,3

TR OLLEY SWITCH AND FROG Original Filed NOV. 26, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J0 47 40 J4 D/ZZ INJULAT/O/V 26. .9.

Inventor LELAND L.D1nr1s Patented Got. 27, 1942 TROLLEY SWITCH AND FROG Leland L. Davis, Kansas City, Mo., assi'gnor to The Ohio Brass Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Original application November 26, 1940, Serial No. 367,203. Divided and this application May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,229

4 Claims.

My invention relates to control switches of the circuit changing type and is particularly adapted for use in connection with overhead trolley switches for guiding current collectors at turnout points. It may have other uses in connection with other apparatus.

One object of my invention is to provide a switch for alternately opening and closing the energizing circuits to the operating coils of overhead trolley switches whereby the circuit to one coil or sets of coils is opened after the coil or coils have been energized and the circuit to the other coil or coils is simultaneously closed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a current changing switch which may be used with an overhead trolley switch employing a pair of electrically operated frogs in which the circuit changing switch is operated by or simultaneously with the movement of the tongue of one frog and controls the circuits to the operating mechanism of both frogs.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit changing switch having means to prevent destructiv arcing at the contacts when opened and also just prior to the closing of the contacts;

Still another object of my invention is to pro vide a circuit changing switch arranged to connect the contacts during the interval between the opening of one pair of contacts and the closing of the other pair of contacts.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a circuit changing switch with a condenser to reduce or eliminate arcing at the contact of the switch at the opening and closing of the same and to short-circuit the condenser during the interval between the closing of one pair of contacts and the opening of the other pair of contacts to place the condenser in position to absorb the energy dissipated at the opening of the contacts.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of my invention and the drawings accompanying the same.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, combination and relation of parts hereinafter described and shown in the drawings accompany th specification.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of my invention as applied to an overhead trolley switch employing a pair of frogs to guide the current collectors on a trolley coach or bus. Th circuit changing switch is shown in one position, closing the circuit to one pair of coils.

Fig. 2 shows th same schematic arrangement as in Fig. 1, except the circuit changing switch is shown in its other position closing the circuit to the pair of coils.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of a single frog arranged for a right-hand turn-out with the cover partly removed to show th tongue operating mechanism and aforementioned auxiliary or circuit changing switch.

Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. '3.

Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of'Fig. 3.

Fig. '1 is a side view in partial section of the auxiliary switch referred to hereinabove. Fig. 8 is a top view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is another end view in partial section of my switch showing the opposite end of the switch also showing one relation of theparts to the operating lever when the frog F is midway between its two guiding positions.

Fig. 11 is an end view of my switch corresponding to the end view shown in Fig. 10, xcept showing the relation of the part to the operating lever when the frog tongue is in one of its guiding positions.

Fig. 12 is a partial section on the lin l'2-l2 of Fig. 10.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 367,203, filed November 26, 1940.

Electrically operated switches for use in overhead trolley systems for operating trolley coaches employing two current collectors are now in use but such switches lack certain refinements and improvements which are required to make them more practical and to meet ever increasing advances.

There are in use today a variety of overhead trolley switches to meet diiierent conditions. Figs. 1 and 2 show on form. The frogs F and F are held in spaced relation by insulators I. The frogs are provided with pan 2-2 respectively and with pivoted tongues 3-3 respectively which guide the current collectors 6-6 mounted on a coach, along the proper path at a turn-out point (see Figs. 1 and 2).

The main trolley wires 4-4 and the branch trolley wires 5-5 are attached to the frogs F F' respectively. The frog F is provided with a pair of solenoid coils S and T for operating the plunger 1 which in turn is connected to the tongue 3 to move to either of its opposite positions depending upon which coil is energized.

The frog F is also provided with a pair of coils ST' for operating the plunger 1 which is connected to the tongue 3 and moves it to either of its positions depending upon which coil is energized.

When the coils SS are energized th tongues move to their straight through positions and when the coils T-T' are energized the tongues move to their turn-out positions.

The electrically operated mechanism for the tongues is shownin detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The plungers '!'l' are slidably mounted in tubing ||0' respectively.

The frogs FF are provided with contact devices A, B and C which are associated with the main conductors 44', as shown, and are connected to the coils, and when energized by a passing current collector the coils will be energized depending upon which contact device is in engagement with the current collectors at the same time.

The contact devices are connected to the coils through the conductors l2, l3, l4, l5 and I6 and are controlled by my improved circuit changing switch hereinafter referred to as switch D. I connect switch D in series with contact device A which is common to all coils, and by means of switch D the coils are alternately connected to and disconnected from the contact device A so that after one coil of each frog has been energized to move the tongues to one position, the energizing circuit is broken and the other energizing circuit is completed. This result is effected by associating switch D with one frog F in such manner that the switch lever I! will be alternately actuated to its two positions.

The switch D may be operated directly by the plunger 1, but used in combination with an overhead frog I prefer to have the switch D operated more directly as by the tongue 3 or by the lever arm I! which is secured to the tongue 3 and which in turn is then operated by the plunger 1. The switch D may be operated by manipulating the lever I! manually if used under other conditions. When combined with an overhead trolley switch, it may be said that switch D is electrically operated since the tongues are electrically operated.

The auxiliary switch D in general comprises two sets of contacts each set; constituting what might be termed sub-switches d and (1' respectively for controlling the circuits to the coils. When the contacts of d are opened, the contacts of d are closed and vice versa (see Figs. 1 and 2), and one purpose of switch D is to open the circuit to the energized coils on the two frogs after ,the tongues have been properly positioned to prevent overheating and damage to the coils should the current collectors come to rest while in engagement with the contacts A, B and C and simultaneously close the circuit to the other pair of coils and place them in condition to be later energized.

The switch D, as later explained, is mounted upon the frog F as is the case with the coils S and T. The switch D is insulated from the frog F as indicated by the insulation l8. and from the lever H by the insulating knob [9. The blade 20 makes and breaks contact with the fixed contact 2|, and the blade 20' makes and breaks contact with the fixed contact 2|.

It will be noted that the insulating member 19 is of less length than the space between the blades 20 and 20'; therefore, when the tongue 3 is in its intermediate position between its extreme guiding positions, the blades 20 and 20 will each be in engagement with its contact 2| or 2'! respectively, thus connecting the contacts 2i and 2f momentarily while the tongue moves between its extreme positions since the blades and 23' are connected at one end.

The purpose of providing a momentary connection of fixed contacts 2| and 2| is to aid in the use of a condenser across the breaks when the contacts d and 11' open the circuit. I have found that a condenser across the contacts at d and 03' will prevent or reduce the arcing at the opening of the contacts, and this is advisable, because such arcing would Very shortly destroy the contacts since the system employs as a rule 600 volts between trolley wires and any flash would linger for a considerable time.

I find with the arrangement of the circuits as shown, one switch D is sufiicient to control all of the coils on both frogs and that with the switch D, as constructed, a single condenser 22 will control the arcing at both sets of contacts at d and d as the short-circuiting of the contacts momentarily will dissipate or discharge any charge taken up by the condenser at the separation of the contacts under load.

When the lever l! is moving between its limits, there is during a period of time during the travel of the lever when both sets of contacts at d and d will be closed at the same time, thus shortcircuiting the condenser through the resistance 23. The resistance 23 limits the rate of discharge of the condenser and prevents burning of the contacts of the sub-switches d and d which would otherwise take place if full discharge of the condenser were permitted at d and d just prior to the closing of the contacts thereof.

The resistance 23 is relatively small and, therefore, it has little eifect upon the rate of charge of the condenser 22 or upon its absorption of a charge but it is of sufficient resistance to effectively limit the discharge current from the condenser to a value consistent with the current carrying ability of the contacts.

Since the condenser is shorted at each operation of the tongue and of the switch D, it is only necessary to use one condenser and one resistance to protect the coils of both frogs F and F. The condenser 22 absorbs the energy released by the magnetic field upon interruption of the circuit at sub-switches d and d.

In the foregoing description, I have described the various essential elements of my invention and the function and operation of the switch as a part of the overhead system with respect to a moving coach. I will now describe the specific form of auxiliary or circuit control switch D which I use, although other forms and modifications may be used which will come within the scope of my invention as later claimed.

The specific construction of the operating mechanism is shown in Figs. 3 to 12 inclusive. Mounted upon the pan 2 is a frame supporting the coils S and T. A yoke 32 is secured to the end plate 3| by the screws 33. The pintle 34 is secured to and pivots with the tongue 3 and projects above the upper surface of the pan 2. Secured to the pintle or stem 34 is a lever 35 (IT in Figs. 1 and 2). Pivotally mounted on the yoke 32 is a latch 36 under tension of the adjustable spring 31. The projecting end of the magnetic coil plunger 1 is attached to the lever 35 intermediate its ends whereby the lever is moved about the axis of the pintle 34 as the coil plunger 1 is moved in either direction depending upon which coil is energized. The free end of the lever engages a roller on the latch 36 whereby the lever is releasably held in either of its two positions. The cover 38 protects the mechanism mounted on the pan from the weather.

Associated with the frame 3i is a circuit control switch D held in position by the upper screw 33. In Fig. 7 is shown an enlarged side view of the switch D corresponding to the view of the switch in Fig. 5. The auxiliary switch comprises anangle support 40 with an opening 4| to receive the screw 33 and to receive also the screw 42. Mounted upon the support 49 is a second support 43 provided with a slot 44 which permits lateral adjustment along the longitudinal axis of the coils relative to the lever 35. The switch D is held in adjusted position by the screw 42.

Depending from the member 43 is the member 45' of insulating material and held thereto by screws 46 on opposite sides of the member 45 are clamps 41, preferably of insulating material but which may be of metal, and each is provided with a groove to receive the insulated conductors 48 and 49 (conductors l3 and [4 of Fig. l) and the screw-bolts 50 hold the parts in position.

The member 45 is provided with dovetail grooves 5| one on each side face thereof, and in each groove there is positioned a copper plate 5252' respectively (2l-2l of Fig. 1) and to which the conductors 48 and 49 are connected respectively.

Positioned between the members 43 and the block 45 but insulated from the member 43 by insulation 53, is a U-shaped conducting member having depending blades 54--54 (23 and 20 of Fig. 1) of phosphorus bronze or resilient copper and connected at each end by a square bend. The blades are provided with contact studs 5-55 to engage the plates 52-52.

When the switch D is in position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lever 35 is positioned between the blades 54-54 and insulated therefrom by insulation 55, then the lever 55 as it moves in either direction engages the blades to move them to their open position. The insulation 58 may be attached to the blades. In Fig. 10 the lever 35 is shown in mid-position as when the tongue 3 is in mid-position between its extreme or guiding positions. In Fig. 11 the lever is shown as engaging blade 54 and having a broken contact between the blade 54 and 52'.

While I have described my improved switch in combination with one type of overhead frog and switch, it may be used in combination with other types of overhead switches and with other apparatus where a switch hereinabove described and shown in the drawings is required.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A circuit control switch comprising, an insulating member, a pair of fixed contacts attached to the member in spaced and insulated relation and provided with means for the attachment of conductors thereto, a supplementary contact attached to the member and having a pair of spaced and movable elongated contact arms. one arm for each fixed contact, and each arm biased to engage its fixed contact whereby the fixed contacts are electrically connected together when each fixed contact is engaged at the same time by its arm, a reciprocable operating member nositioned between the arms and movable to two opposite positions and to an intermediate position and so related to the arms that when the operating member is in either of its opposite positions one or the other movable arm is out of contact with its fixed contact but when the operating member is in its intermediate position eachmovable arm is in contact with its fixed contact and the fixed contacts electrically connected together, a pair of coils, an armature movable in said coils and connected to said operatingmember, one of said coils moving said operating member to one of said two opposite positions and the other coil moving said operating'member to the other of two operating positions, and a support for the insulating member and so connected to the insulating member that the insulating member and the spacing of the arms supported thereby may be adjusted with respect to the operating member.

2. A circuit control switch comprising, an insulating member, means to attach the member to a support, a pair of fixed contacts attached to the member in spaced and insulated relation, a conductor connected to each fixed contact, movable contact arms attached to the insulating member in spaced but electrically connected relation and biased to engage the fixed contacts and to short-circuit the fixed contacts when both fixed contacts are engaged by the contact arms at the same time, reciprocable means to move either contact arm out of engagement with its fixed contact when the movable contact arm engages its fixed contact and whereby each movable arm will engage its fixed contact when the said reciprocable means is in its intermediate position and means to actuate said reciprocable means which includes a pair of coils and an armature connected to said reciprocable means, each of said coils selectively moving said reciprocable means into engagement with either of said movable contact arms.

3. A circuit control switch comprising, an insulating member, means to attach the member to a support, a pair of fixed contacts attached to the member in spaced and insulated relation and each contact provided with means to receive a conductor, movable contact arms attached to the insulating member in spaced but electrically connected relation and biased to engage the fixed contacts and to short-circuit the fixed contacts when each fixed contact is engaged by its contact at the same time, a pivotally mounted lever positioned between the contact arms to move either contact arm out of engagement with its fixed contact when the other 'movable contact arm engages its fixed contact and whereby both movable arms will each engage its fixed contact at the same time when the pivotally mounted lever is in its intermediate position, and means to actuate the said lever which includes a pair of coils and an armature connected to the lever, each coil selectively moving the said lever into engagement with either of said contact arms to move said arms out of contact with its fixed contact.

4. An electric system comprising, an insulating member, a pair of fixed contacts attached to the member in spaced and insulated relation and provided with means for the attachment of conductors thereto, a supplemental contact attached to the member and having a pair of movable contact arms, one arm for each fixed contact, and each arm biased to engage its fixed contact whereby the fixed contacts are electrically connected together when each fixed contact is engaged at the same time by its arm, a movable operating member positioned between the arms and movable to two opposite positions and having an intermediate position and so related to the arms that when the operating member is in either of its opposite positions one or the other movable arm is out of contact with its fixed contact but when the operating member is in its intermediate position each movable arm is in contact with its fixed contact and the fixed contacts electrically connected together for the purpose described, the supplemental contact provided with means to connect a conductor thereto, a pair of coils, an armature movable to two positions and operatively connected to said operating member, one of said coils when energized moving said operating member to one of said two opposite positions and the other coil when energized moving said operating member to the other of the two operating positions, one end of each coil connected to a fixed contact whereby the coils will be alternately connected to the supplemental contact as the movable operating member is alternately moved to its opposite positions and a support for the insulating member and the 10 coils.

LELAND L. DAVIS. 

